“What earthly grounds are there for believing it to be murder! Great Scott, man! Accidental drowning is tragic enough! And the young lady, Miss Torrington, could swim like a fish too!” Detective Mr. Moh is enjoying a holiday by the seaside at Whitesands. It has become his custom to sit on the shore each morning, whereupon he’s embroiled in a new adventure after a dog steals clothes from the beach. Lydia Torrington, glamorous local resident and strong swimmer, is soon afterwards found mysteriously drowned. Indications on the body soon make it clear this was no accident but murder. There is much boiling beneath the surface among the denizens of Whitesands, involving romantic jealousy and secrets long held. Mr. Moh joins forces with his friend Inspector Gorham to solve a fascinating case of aquatic assassination with a most surprising twist. Murder of Lydia was originally published in 1933. This new edition features an introduction by crime fiction historian Curtis Evans.

“Not content with mucking up my front garden with corpses, you dare to suggest that the wretched creature passed out in my house!” The detective Mr. Moh, an enthusiastic gardener, is angered by the wanton destruction of his neighbour Miss Hyde’s flower-beds. He enlists the help of his friend Inspector Gorham to prevent further herbaceous vandalism – but the second they’re on the case the corpse of a naked woman is found in the next-door garden. No one appears to have known the dead woman well, or have had good reason to strangle her. Yet the home’s owner, Lewis Hardwicke, has returned from abroad unexpectedly at almost exactly the same time as the murder. And the woman’s hat has been found on the premises of another neighbour’s house . . . why was it necessary to silence the unfortunate Ellen Shields? Why was Miss Hyde’s dog missing, then injured? And why have the flowerbeds been trampled? Trust Mr. Moh and Inspector Gorham to solve this most baffling of cases.